Fetal Abnormality

The moral status of life can be regarded as the theoretical framework that tends to explain how it should be treated in terms of its moral rights, entitlements, preferences, and needs in accordance with its moral worth and substantiality. A case study on the moral status of a fetus with abnormality has been used to evaluate the different concepts of determining a life’s moral status through ethical discussions. To most people, all human lives are perceived to be of equal value and a superior moral status to the life of animals. To others, some human lives are presumed to be of a higher moral status than others based on individual characteristics such as the capacity to feel pleasure and pain among others. It is imperative to evaluate various theories that offer different interpretations of moral status in terms of moral thinking and behavior so as to comprehend nuances in determining a person’s moral worth.

The Theory Employed by Jessica and its Impact on Her Choice of Action

Jessica, the fetus’ mother, uses the Human Properties Theory to base her arguments on determining the moral status of the fetus. As per the theory, all beings that have characteristics of a person are thought to be of equal moral status (Rusthoven & Bartholomew, 2014). As a result, there is no predetermined hierarchy of evaluating whether oneВ’s life has a higher moral status than that of others since they all have equivalent moral rights and deliberations. In this regard, all beings born to a human parent should be protected simply based on the fact that they have a human genetic code. Nevertheless, the theory also acknowledges that human moral status is not universal as it is morally acceptable to kill one person to save another as they are both of equal moral status.

In this respect, Jessica has to choose between the option of a better economic life and freedom and the principle that all lives are precious and of equal moral status. Jessica’s concerns are attributed to the fact that having the child would pose a financial burden, and considering that they are of equal moral status, it would be justifiable for her to abort the child so as to attain a better social-economic position and independence. This is because the child would need special care and individualized attention after its birth. On the other hand, Jessica also views the fetus as a human being of equal moral status based on its genetics despite the anomalies pointed out by the doctor. In this regard, Jessica feels that the child deserves the right to life, and she has a duty to protect the fetus from any form of harm